Australia was widely regarded as a global exemplar in gun control – the Bondi tragedy has laid bare a much murkier situation.

On a Sunday afternoon in the year 1996, a solitary shooter armed with rapid-fire weapons murdered 35 people in the historic site of Port Arthur.

That horrific event nearly a generation ago, which sparked some of the strictest firearm regulations in the world, can feel like a different era for many citizens.

However, the tragedy in Bondi this past Sunday, which claimed 15 lives, has brought back painful recollections of the Port Arthur massacre.

Gun Ownership at a Record High

A study released earlier this year revealed that there are now over four million guns in private hands across the country – a figure that is nearly twice the amount from the late 1990s.

This translates to approximately one gun for every seven Australians.

While Queensland has the most registered guns, followed by NSW and Victoria, it is the island state and the Northern Territory that have the greatest density of weapons.

The data also challenges the widespread belief that guns are mostly possessed by those in the countryside.

Guns are prevalent in urban centres, with a significant portion located in urban hubs.

Critically, there are now more guns in fewer hands, with the registered individual possessing several firearms.

What Are Australia's Existing Weapons Policies?

Gun control laws in Australia are varied across the country, with a patchwork implementation of rules across states and territories.

Typically, to obtain a gun licence, an individual must be of legal age, deemed a "suitable candidate", pass a competency test, and provide a "valid purpose" for ownership.

The accepted reasons include hunting or culling, competitive shooting, certain job-related needs, and collecting.

However, significant loopholes remain. For instance, minors in some jurisdictions can have supervision of a firearm from as young as pre-teen age.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, a comprehensive reform of national gun laws was enacted, leading to a voluntary hand-in of over 650,000 firearms.

Automatic and semi-automatic rifles were prohibited, and background checks alongside delays for sales were introduced.

A key tenet of these reforms was the rejection of "personal protection" as a acceptable grounds for gun ownership.

Renewed Demands for Gun Law Reform

In the wake the Bondi shooting, political leaders were unequivocal about the need to strengthen gun laws.

A weapons collection initiative was announced, marking the first such effort since 1996.

Other proposals now under consideration include:

• Capping the number of guns an individual can legally own.
• Addressing "indefinite" licensing arrangements.
• Making formal citizenship a condition for firearm ownership.
• Strengthening intelligence sharing during licence application processes.

There are also calls for periodic reassessments of existing licence holders, acknowledging that "individuals can be radicalised" over time.

An Ongoing Controversy

These proposed changes have sparked debate from some quarters.

Pro-gun advocates contend that limiting gun numbers would not have prevented an attack driven by extremist ideology.

They suggest that resources would be better spent addressing root causes rather than restricting lawful owners for the overwhelming number of responsible owners.

Furthermore, a critical reform from 1996 – a national firearms register – remains incomplete, though it has now been listed as a priority.

A Catalyst for Change

For long-time advocates, the Bondi attack is a tragic indication that gun laws must be updated with new threats.

They argue that strengthening is needed to "keep up-to-date" and safeguard communities.

While mass shootings remain relatively rare in Australia compared to some nations, the threat persists, and the challenge of firearms circulating illegally – through theft – continues to pose a challenge.

As one advocate stated, "It's sad that it takes such a tragedy to prompt action and listen."